Aromatherapy - Essential Oils for Physical and Psychological Well-being

What is Aromatherapy?

It is the practice of using volatile plant oils (and essential oils) for physical and psychological well-being.

Before I get started take note that fragrance oils (fragrances) are not essential oils. This is because they contain unnatural chemicals and do not provide therapeutic benefits like essential oils.

Essential oils are the pure "essence" of a plant and when used properly will provide both psychological and physical benefits. There are many essential oils. Absolutes, CO2s and hydrosols are also commonly utilized in aromatherapy. CO2s and absolutes are often defined as part of the term "essential oil".

Essential oils are very powerful and concentrated and should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form. When applied to the skin essential oils are believed to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The components of the various oils are believed to aid in a variety of physical conditions including: health, hygiene, mental and beauty. To apply essential oils to the skin carrier oils (pure vegetable oils) are used to dilute the essential oils and carry them to the skin.

Examples of carrier oils include (but are not limited to): apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil.

Inhaling essential oils is believed to offer both physical and psychological benefits. The aroma of a natural essential oil stimulate's the brain to trigger a reaction. The naturally occurring chemicals in essential oil are drawn into the lungs and can supply a physical benefit, as well. Be careful. It is easy to use essential oils in a dangerous way.

Oils can be blended together to provide a specific therapeutic action, or pleasing aroma. Synergistically blending oils in proper proportions is considered to have a further reaching effect than that of each oil working alone. This is what the art of essential oil blends is all about.

I am a full time webmaster living in the United States. When I am not working then reading or eating is occupying my time. I spend most of my time working on Big Blog Directory and my Online Aromatherapy Store.

---

Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief

Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using... Read More

Ive Given Away Control of My Life To Doctors?and Now I Want It Back.

But How Realistic Is It For You To Start Managing... Read More

Health Benefits of Hemp Oil

Hemp oil has long been recognised as one of the... Read More

Dandelions! This Common Weed is a Wonderful Spring Tonic

Those Glorious Dandelions! Taraxacum officinale (composite family)Spring is coming! Starting... Read More

Healing Heartburn Holistically

Everyone at some point in time has experienced some form... Read More

Why Detoxify?

Have you been hearing about detoxification more often? That's because... Read More

Shiatsu

What is Shiatsu? Shiatsu, literally means: Shi = 'finger,' Atsu... Read More

Reversing Macular Degeneration: Without Drugs Or Surgery

I would like to report some anecdotal research findings that... Read More

How I Overcame Anxiety/Panic Attacks

Has this ever happened to you, out of the blue,... Read More

Working with an Intuitive Counselor: Opening the Door to Yourself

"Oh, I've had a psychic reading before. They read some... Read More

Alternative Fibromyalgia Therapies

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disease that is effecting more and... Read More

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine is the oldest form of health care known... Read More

Hypnosis - What Exactly is it?

Hypnosis is probably not what you think it is. Hypnosis... Read More

Fitness-related Benefits of Massage

Ask someone their reason for getting a massage and you're... Read More

Prenatal Massage

What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of... Read More

Complementary Therapy The Route To Better Back Health

Find Out How to Reduce and Eliminate Chronic Back Pain... Read More

Gearing Up for Flu Season

Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most... Read More

Do-Sa-Do For Mindfulness

When I was 12, one of my best friends was... Read More

Your Home is a Toxic Waste Dump!

Did you know that the household and beauty products that... Read More

Super Bee Nutrition

Bee's and Bee NutritionWhat is the buzz about bee Nutrition?... Read More

The Many Uses of Mint

There are many varieties of mint plants. If you want... Read More

Biofeedback: Applying the Mind to Health

What is biofeedback?In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful... Read More

Chiropractors: Theyre on My Team!

Whenever I see the title "men's health", it conjures up... Read More

Relaxation

We talk a lot about stress in our society, but... Read More

Hypnotherapy and How it Can Help

Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis to unlock the... Read More

The Natural Way To Whiten Teeth

No patience for bleaching? There may be another way to... Read More

Heart Disease and Homocysteine

Are you aware that one of the most important indicators... Read More

What is Reiki, Benefits of Reiki, Healing Sessions, Herbs that Heal

In Japan, in the early 1920s, Mikao Usui developed Reiki-ho... Read More

Using Pain To Institute Change In Your Life!

Why do you do something that harms you? Why do... Read More

What Is A Home Remedy?

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?Myths and legends often have... Read More

How Pain Relief Visualization Statements Work

Visualization statements represent the specific language that your subconscious wants... Read More

Alter Your Perceptions

This article first appeared in The Sept. 2004 issue of... Read More

A Morning Smoothie to Help You Stop Constipation

Chronic constipation can be hard to stop or elimination, since... Read More